Find out how improving gas exchange can improve the health of your fish.
Does your fish seem less colorful than they should be? Do they look a little lazy? Or, are not growing as fast they should even though your water parameters test fine?
One common oversight is the lack of gas exchange.
A fish needs a good supply of oxygen in his tank water for him to survive the same way that humans need oxygen to survive. The blood of a fish carries the oxygen into his cells so they can regenerate which is basically the same thing that our bloodstream does for us.
The oxygen and the carbon dioxide are exchanged at the water surface of the tank. That means the carbon dioxide is expelled from the water and the oxygen is received back into the water at the top of the water in the tank. This means that the more water surface area in your tank, the more gas exchange there is; however, that’s not always enough. Glass lids and oily surface film can very-significantly reduce gas exchange and cause your fish to not be as colorful as they should be, be lethargic and/or be stunted in growth
It is necessary to promote extra water movement as the more water movement at the surface means the more gas exchange there is: more CO2 is expelled and more oxygen is absorbed. The Cobalt MJ-Series Powerheads work great for freshwater and saltwater fish-only aquariums. They are available in 4 different sizes and include several accessories for installation. We particularly like the optional venturi attachment that allows you to inject even more air into the water. For lager aquariums, multiple pumps can be used to make sure you have sufficient water flow and that there are not dead spots
The same principle for gas exchange applies to the saltwater reef aquarium but is even more crucial for the health of saltwater fish and corals. Two of our more popular brands of powerheads are the MaxSpect Gyre and the EcoTech Vortech. Both are very capable pumps that can cover every corner of an aquarium and eliminate all dead spots.
When we design or install an aquarium, we always make sure to install the return nozzles as close to the top of the tank as possible. This helps to further improve gas exchange by agitating the surface of the water. The intake for you canister filter or hang-on power filter should be installed towards the bottom of the tank so that it can grab as much of the low-oxygen water as possible.
With proper gas exchange and better water movement, you will find that your fish will become more colorful, be more active and grow faster. By providing the proper conditions, you will be rewarded with happy fish and an aquarium that THRIVES!